WJPA Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Paul Skenes allowed one run and struck out eight in seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-1. Skenes went at least seven innings for the first time since May 12. The All-Star right-hander gave up seven hits. Billy Cook had a career-high three hits and drove in two runs, Esmerlyn Valdez continued his torrid July with a two-run homer in the ninth and Nick Gonzales had two doubles for the Pirates. Steven Kwan had two hits for Cleveland.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Esmerlyn Valdez’s strong start to his major league career is showing no signs of slowing down. The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder’s two-run homer in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 7-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians made him the fourth player in major league history with at least 12 homers and 31 RBIs in their first 31 games. The 22-year-old Valdez, nicknamed “The Magician” because his first name sounds like Merlin, has hit safely in 19 of his past 22 games He is the first Pirates hitter with an extra-base hit and RBI in seven straight games since Willie Stargell in 1971.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Spain substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give his team a 1-0 win over defending champion Argentina in the World Cup final. Spain was absolutely dominant in terms of possession and shot attempts. Lionel Messi and Argentina found a way to hang on and force extra time — but barely. And in the opening moment of the second 15-minute period of extra time, Torres pounced on a bouncing ball in the box and used his left foot to bury a shot just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox capped off an amazing week at the British Open with a finish he won’t forget. The 39-year-old from New Zealand made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 68 to capture his first major championship. It was only the fifth birdie on the tough closing hole at Royal Birkdale on Sunday. It gave Fox a one-shot victory over hard-luck Cameron Young. The American shot a 64 and waited more than two hours to see if it would hold up. It almost did until Fox kept bouncing back from bogeys and finished with a birdie.